Storms forecast for Ohio, Mississippi valleys

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — The Storm Prediction Center says a portion of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys could see strong winds and perhaps tornadoes Thursday afternoon.

Parts of Ohio alerted to potential for flooding

CLEVELAND (AP) — The northern half of Ohio could see the potential for flooding as melting snow combines with rain.

With temperatures rising, the Cleveland office of the National Weather Service says the shrinking snow will release a significant amount of water. Forecasters say any heavy rain could produce flooding, and some river flooding is likely.

A flood watch was issued for Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. Areas under the watch include Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lucas and Ottawa counties.

A watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.

Meteorologist Andy Latto at the weather service's Wilmington office says no flood watches were issued for southern Ohio. But there could be some heavy rain with a chance of flooding.

The Oklahoma-based forecasters warned there is a "moderate risk" of severe weather in an area from Louisville, Ky., to near Tupelo, Miss. A slight risk of severe weather surrounds that region, from the central Gulf coast to southern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio and into the western Appalachians.

A cold front is approaching the region from the west. The Storm Prediction Center says thunderstorms would begin forming in a line from St. Louis to Texarkana, Ark., then move eastward. The storms could contain damaging winds, and some could contain tornadoes.

While that severe weather is developing, there's a chance of heavy snow in parts of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.